Gotta feeling end is near

Seems Theo's Calgary ride nears finish

Don't be surprised if Flames head coach Brent Sutter, yesterday at practice, and the rest of the team's decision-makers decide comeback kid Theo Fleury won't make the final cut for a spot. (Stuart Dyrden, Sun Media)

Grimacing is nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to the Sutter family.

But that tiny facial expression often offers a little insight into the meaning of the words that follow.

For Theoren Fleury and those fans praying for a fairy-tale ending to his tryout, they better hope it was a twitch yesterday when Flames head coach Brent Sutter was talking about the 41-year-old.

"I don't want to comment or get too far ahead on anything because we're still taking everything day to day. Let's see how everything unfolds here," Sutter said after suggesting he didn't necessarily need to see Fleury in action in the final pre-season game tomorrow to make a decision on whether or not the 5-foot-6 winger fits with the franchise.

"He's certainly done a good job -- yet, there's a lot of good players here."

Then came the grimace, synchronized with words that may be as damning as any publicly offered about Fleury to date.

"And the pace of the game is gonna pick up 10-fold here starting next week, so let's just see what happens."

Fleury's critics would say his biggest flaw is an inability to keep up with the play through the pre-season.

He showed improvement through four exhibition games, but signing Fleury to a contract only to discover he's already shown his best is a big risk.

Given the day off yesterday for "maintenance," Fleury may already be showing signs of breaking down physically.

That happens to athletes half his age when they exert maximum effort early in the year, so it should come as no surprise when it happens to a middle-aged man who knows no speed but full-throttle.

"Just a little bit of maintenance. Working on some little tweaks and stuff," Fleury said yesterday when asked about his absence on the ice. "Other than that, I feel good."

He has a lot to feel good about. His story is already one of success -- sober for four years, the fallen star earns reinstatement to the league he loves, is given a chance by the club he's always kept close to his heart to one day retire from it officially with dignity and the knowledge he gave it his all.

But the story may be coming to an end -- at least the Calgary chapter.

And talking about the next step yesterday, Fleury seemed to be at peace with whatever happens.

"I think I've already won the battle," he said. "Everything that happens from here on in is a bonus. I've accomplished things that I never thought I could. Just to be a part of a team atmosphere again ... it's been great."

Tomorrow, Sutter wants to dress a veteran lineup full of as many returning players as possible against the Vancouver Canucks as they gear up for the regular season that starts next week.

"Obviously, there's decisions that have to be made," Sutter said when asked about the handful of bubble players remaining on the roster that has to be pared to 23 by Oct. 1. "By the start of next week at some point, something's got to occur -- and maybe sooner."

If Fleury's comeback is coming to a close, locals would love to give him a cheery sendoff at the Dome tomorrow.

But there's no guarantee he even gets to suit up -- healthy or not.

"It's not up to me," Fleury said, adding he'd love to get in another game. "It's one more chance, one more opportunity. That's how I have to look at it."